Hen&#39;s nest.



No. 796,105. PATENTED AUG. 1, 1905.

J. H. BLANK.

HENS NEST. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18. 1905,

WITNESSES: [NVENTOR .Kam

uMLWM 9 1/ 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENS NEST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application filed March is, 1905. $erial No. 250,774.

To a whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HENRY BLANK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvernents in Hens Nests, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in hens nests, and has for its object to provide a simplified and novel construction whereby any one of a series of nest-receptacles contained therein can be readily removed for cleaning the same at any time without disturbing the other nests in said series.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character stated whereby one or more'of said nests can be readily closed to prevent interference with a sitting hen 00- cupying such nest.

A still further object of my invention is to provide-simple means by which the entire se-.

ries of nests may be simultaneously closed at night or at other desired times.

With these and other objects in view my invention consists, essentially, of an inclosing case or frame divided into a series of compartments or recesses, each being adapted to receive a metallic receptacle forming the nest and provided with swinging doors or lids capable of closing each nest-receptacle uponone side while opening the same upon the opposite side.

My invention further consists in the novel construction and general arrangement of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims. 7

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an inclosing case embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 a vertical longitudinal section thereof.

In carrying out my invention I first provide alight frame or inclosing case 1, composedof the vertical ends and partitions 2, a top section 3, and narrow strips 4., one on each lower side to hold the several parts together to form acompact, strong, and durable inclosing case. Upon the front central portion of the inclosing ends and partitions 2 is arranged a light metallic rod 5, which is secured in a horizontal position thereon by small staples 6, while a corresponding metallic rod 7 is similarly secured-to the back of the frame on a line parallel with the front rod 5. In this manner the inclosing frame or case is divided into upper and lower compartments or recesses for the reception therein of square metallic boxes or receptacles 8, each forming a nest. Each of these receptacles or boxes is formed from sheet metal having their upper edges bent or lapped over an encircling rod, which is bent at right angles at each end of said boxes to form supporting lugs or arms 9, said'lugs or arms being adapted to rest upon the cross-rods 5 and 7, respectively, to hold the box or receptacle in pos'i tion to contain hay or straw to form a nest.

In the lower section of the frame these boxes are supported in position therein by the arms or lugs 9, resting upon the top sof the front and rear strips 4, as fully shown in Fig. 2.

Through the central part of each upper and lower section of the frame is arranged a metal rod 10, disposed horizontally therein through holes bored in the ends and partitions 2, and to these rods 10 are centrally secured the lids or doors 11 by means of small staples 12 in such manner that said doors or lids readily swing from side to side upon said rods to alternately open and close the entrances to each nest, as fully shown in Fig. 2.

In front of each upper and lower row or series of nests and horizontally disposed across the same is provided a perch or rest formed of a narrow board 13, extending from one end of the frame to the other, and the ends of which are pivotally secured to the ends of said frame by means of metal strips 14, secured at each end of the board 13, the opposite ends of said metal strips being pivoted upon the projecting ends of rod 5 on the front of the frame.

A pin or stop 15 is connected to the ends of the frame to limit the movement or swing of the board 13 in such manner as to permit the said board to be dropped down in position at right angles to the front of the frame to form a perch or rest for the fowls seeking entrance to one or the other of the series of nests in said frame. This board or rest 13 can be readily swung up into position against the front of the frame to close either one or both of the series of nest-openings, and said board or rest may be securely held in such position by means of a hook 16 on the front I of the frame engaging with an eye or loop 17 on the edge of said board or rest, as fully shown in the drawings.

By means of my improved construction it will be readily seen that the series of nests afford convenient and cleanly receptacles for laying-hens and prevents more than one hen occupying a nest at a time, for should a second hen crowd into a compartment already occupied the lid or door would be automatically closed by the hack of the hen so crowding in, thus throwing the rear of the nest open for the escape of the second hen. In case it may be desired to set a hen the lid or door can be closed on the front, thereby preventing other hens from crowding in and at the same time permitting the exit of the sitting hen from the rear opening in search of food or water.

The metal receptacles forming the nests can be readily and quietly removed at any time, the straw or hay therein thrown out or bu rned,the receptacle then thoroughly cleaned and provided with fresh hay or straw and restored to its former position without disturbing the occupants of other nests in the series.

When it is desired to thoroughly clean the entire structure, all the receptacles therein may be removed and the framework fumigated and cleaned, while each of the metallic compartments are also cleaned and renewed with fresh hay or straw and replaced in their former positions in the cleaned frame.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

1. An inclosing frame comprising a series of compartments, each adapted to receive a metallic receptacle forming a nest, a hinged lid or cover in each compartment, a swinging perch or rest in front of said series of compartments, and means for closing said perch against the fronts of the same, substantially as described.

2. An inelosing frame comprising vertical ends and partitions, a top section thereto, and

bottom strips, one on each side, metallic rods centrally disposed across the front and back of said frame, forming an upper and lower series of compartments for the reception therein of metallic receptacles or nest-boxes, centrally-disposed rods above the said receptacles and provided with swinging lids or covers, and a swinging perch or rest arranged in front of each upper and lower section, substantially as described.

3. In an inelosing frame or case, having a series of compartments provided with swinging lids or covers, the combination therewith, of metallic receptacles or nests provided with lugs or projections on each corner thereof and adapted to rest upon the side rods and strips on the front and back of said frame, substantially as described.

4. In an inclosing frame or case carrying a series of compartments for the reception of nest-boxes therein, and each provided with a swinging lid or cover, the combination therewith of a swinging perch or rest pivotally adjusted to the ends of said frame and provid ed with means for securing the same across the fronts of the series of compartments to close and lock the same, substantially as described.

5. Aninelosing frame or case provided with one or more compartments, each adapted to receive a metallic receptacle or nest having lugs or projections on the corners thereof for engagement with side rods on the front and back of the frame, and each compartment being provided with a hinged lid or cover, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN HENRY BLANK.

Witnesses:

J. M. ALLEN, H. C. MEIER. 

